Finally got a PC, need advice with my plethora of stuff

[imported_el guapo]

I want to start out by saying thank you to all for all the advice I`ve read on Autopia so far.



Also, a guy I work with and I were talking about detailing. He is a complete novice to the point that he was using motor oil for tire dressing. On and off with a rag. I quickly gave him this web site address and told him to read up.



I finally went out and bought a PC 7336 at Lowe`s for under $100 (after tax). Now I need the pads and it looks like I`ll be going with the Propels.

Here is what I have at my disposal right now:



3M Perfect-It II Fine Cut Rubbing Compound

Megs #9

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (step #1)

Deep Crystal Polish (step #2)

Scratch X

NXT Liquid Wax

GC Paste Wax (tin can, not plastic).



I`d like to go online or to the store and buy more stuff to use, but that will have to wait a while since my nine month old son takes priority on purchases.



Any advice on how to employ what I have with which pads to achieve the maximum results?



Thanks again.

El Guapo

[Tasty]

What results are you trying to achieve? It will be hard for folks to give you advice if they don`t know what you want to accomplish.

[imported_el guapo]

I have a 99 Toyota Solara, dark forrest green. I`ve been told that the paint is still in very good condition, but swirl marks, scratches, and rock/gravel dings on my hood from the southwest desert have scarred up my finish.



New or like new finish might be unrealistic, but I`m looking to bring back my car`s original shine as much as possible. Durability would be nice, but I also have time to reapply products about once a month.



I`ll post some pictures as soon as I can.

[imported_Burlyq]

Originally posted by el guapo

I`d like to go online or to the store and buy more stuff to use, but that will have to wait a while since my nine month old son takes priority on purchases.

Thanks again.

El Guapo

At least there is one Autopian with his priorities right, lol.

[Lowejackson]

Originally posted by el guapo

I`d like to go online or to the store and buy more stuff to use, but that will have to wait a while since my nine month old son takes priority on purchases.

El Guapo



Excellent priorities :xyxthumbs



I have no knowledge of the Meguairs consumer range but I would start with wash-clay and then evaluate your paint. I would recommend the Autopia book http://www.autopia.org/display.php?file=Books.htm&s=&menu=4



Detailing need not cost a lot of money and you now own one of the best tools to help get the best from your paint - the PC.

[imported_el guapo]

Here is my car as it looks like right now, pics taken about thrity minutes ago. The car was last clayed about two months ago with Megs CG applied. Mind you it was by hand.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/P1010001.23.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)



The Trunk

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/P1010002.19.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)



The Right Side

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/P1010003.11.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)



Hood 1

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/P1010004.17.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)



Hood 2

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/P1010005.9.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)



The white specks are from the rocks and gravel/pebbles around town and from highway construction near my house. The front bumper looks quite similar to this.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/P1010006.9.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)



Front Right

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/P1010007.12.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)



Front Left

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/P1010008.12.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

[imported_Burlyq]

Looks like you take good car of the car, and it only needs a non or low aggresive polish like FPII or equivalant, IP or equivalant at most. here`s abrasive scale if you haven`t seen it. Do a search I think it has been updated. I would think your car only needs something between 5 and 1, nothing seams to bad. I have corected much worse with IP alone.





COMPOUNDS, POLISHES AND GLAZES SORTED BY CUTTING ABILITY



10 ? MOST AGGRESSIVE - COMPOUNDS

3M SUPER DUTY RUBBING COMPOND HEAVY CUT 39004

MEGUIAR?S BODY SHOP PROFESSIONAL DIAMOND CUT COMPOUND 2.0 VERY HEAVY CUT #85



8

MEGUIAR?S BODY SHOP PROFESSIONAL COMPUND POWER CLEANER HEAVY CUT #84

3M PERFECT-IT III EXTRA CUT RUBBING COMPOUND 05936

MEGUAIR?S MIRROR GLAZE HEAVY CUT CLEANER #4



7

3M IMPERIAL MICRO FINISHING COMPOUND MEDIUM CUT 39001

MEGUIAR?S MIRROR GLAZE MEDIUM-CUT CLEANER #1

3M PERFECT-IT III RUBBING COMPOUND 05933



6

MEGUIAR?S BODY SHOP PROFESSIONAL DUAL ACTION CLEANER POLISH MEDIUM CUT #83



5

3M PERFECT-IT II RUBBING COMPOUND FINE CUT 39002

MEGUIAR?S MIRROR GLAZE FINE-CUT CLEANER #2

3M ONE STEP CLEANER WAX, MEDIUM OXIDATION REMOVER 39066

MENZERNA INTENSIVE POLISH

3M PERFECT-IT SWIRL MARK REMOVER DARK CARS 39009

3M PERFECT-IT SWIRL MARK REMOVER LIGHT CARS 39109

MEGUIAR?S MEDALLION PAINT CLEANER #97

MEGUIAR?S SCRATCH-X #108



4 - POLISHES

MEGUIAR?S BODY SCRUB A10

MEGUIAR?S DEEP CRYSTAL PAINT CLEANER #30

MEGUIER?S QUICK DETAILER #66

MEGUIER?S SPEED GLAZE #80

BLACK FIRE DEEP GLOSS POLISH



3

MEGUIAR?S BODY SHOP PROFESSIONAL SWIRL FREE POLISH LIGHT CUT #82

MEGUIAR?S MIRROR GLAZE SWIRL REMOVER #9

3M FINESSE-IT II MACHINE POLISH 39003

3M FINESSE-IT II FINISHING MATERIAL 05928

MENZERNA FINAL POLISH



2 - GLAZES

MEGUIAR?S BODY SHOP PROFESSIONAL HAND POLISH VERY LIGHT CUT #81

MEGUIAR?S MIRROR GLAZE MACHINE GLAZE #3

3M PERFECT-IT III TRIZACT MACHINE GLAZE 05930

3M PERFECT-IT III MACHINE GLAZE 05937

3M IMPERIAL MACHINE GLAZE 05991

3M ONE STEP CLEANER WAX, LIGHT OXIDATION REMOVER 39006



1

MEGUIAR?S MIRROR GLAZE SHOW CAR GLAZE #7

3M PERFECT-IT III FINISHING GLAZE 05941

3M IMPERIAL HAND GLAZE 39007

BLACKFIRE ALL FINISH PAINT PROTECTION

[imported_el guapo]

Burlyq, thanks for the list. Now since I`m ordering the Propel pads...what products should I use with which pads?